Wednesday, February 27, 2013

We went to a concert of Clavecin en Concert on Sunday at Église-de-la-Visitation. It is one of the oldest churches in the Province of Quebec - the last church from the French Régime (before 1759) that is still standing on Montreal Island. According to this site (in French only), the church was built between 1749 - 1751. The interior took many years to complete.

Here's a detail of the ceiling. Most of the architectural details were done by Philippe Liébert while the interior details were by David Fleury-David. I've been to concerts at this church before - somehow visiting with my camera made me really look around. I'm always amazed at how much I used to miss.

Monday, February 25, 2013

When the winter blues get you down, there is nothing like flower therapy. My spouse brought me this beautiful orchid. I have featured orchids before in this blog. Unfortunately I lost many to aphids (yes I tried cleaning them with a soapy solution and washing them with alcohol to no avail). So this new addition brightened my day. When the skies are grey - this flash of colour captivates me.

Saturday, February 23, 2013

These two weather vanes stand side by side. Don't trust this dog to help you find your way. He will lead you astray. Released from his perch he will never find his way home if he follows his directions. I hope he is better at sniffing at trails and following his nose.

This building started as an imposing bank - architecture of the late 1800s. Some years back when the bank sold it, it was bought by an antiques dealer. She added the portico - creating this odd mix of styles. The building was recently sold. I wonder what the new owner will decide to add.

Saturday, February 16, 2013

Photos do not do justice to the meal we ate at Tuck Shop to celebrate (only a bit belatedly) my son's birthday. Each dish was beautiful and delicious. The duck, seen above, served with a pomegranate sauce with a variety of vegetables, a variety of textures and the sensuous burst of flavour as a pomegranate seed exploded in one's mouth - was one of the best meals I have ever eaten.

This salad, which included beets and goat cheese was one of the starters.

My spouse and I shared a portion of smoked salmon croquettes - a melt in your mouth experience. Years ago I tried making the Dutch equivalent (bitterballen). One attempt was enough!

I had a taste of this dish of lobster, chanterelles, pasta and other goodies. Another mouth-watering masterpiece. This was truly Foodie Heaven.

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

It's that time of year when germs seem to be floating everywhere. I'm doing what I can to bolster my immunity. These oranges (blood orange and a variation of clementines ) should boost my vitamin C intake. A bit of sweet and sour bring sunshine to my life.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Place Ville Marie is an iconic building in Montreal. It has been featured in my blog before. Last year it celebrated 50 years. In its time it was innovative, built over an underground shopping mall. Now you can walk through underground interconnected shopping malls, sometimes not quite knowing when you have moved from one to the next.

The searchlight on the top can be seen from a great distance, reminding planes that Montreal reaches up into the sky. But here buildings are not allowed to be built too high ruining views of "the mountain." I'm glad there are limits; I like the scale of Montreal.

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Our hardy sculptures don't mind the cold. This computer whiz sits out day and night, winter and summer, engrossed in his screen, fast food sustaining him. His concentration is such that the squirrel has managed to take his share from the bag.

Here is a detail of the sculpture - frozen in time in more ways than one. I was not willing to linger long. The wind was whipping up the snow creating a feeling of cold that was colder than the thermometer indicated. I'll have to go back in warmer weather to find the artist's name. S/he deserves to be acknowledged.

Addendum:
I was back in the area today in much nicer weather. It reminded me that revisiting (art, books, films) always provides another layer of understanding. Here's what I found. The sculpture is by Cedric Loth and was done in 2011. And what is the boy so intent on? Here is the computer screen:

St. Viateur Bagel Bakery is a Montreal landmark. Open 24 hours a day, people often line up to purchase bagels fresh out of the brick ovens. It is very difficult to come home with the full bag as the aroma of hot bagels is hard to resist.

When you enter the store, you pass stacks of bags of flour. I can't imagine how many they must go through each week! Breakfast of bagels, cream cheese, smoked salmon - life is good.